Parrotperch, spotted Oplegnathus punctatus

Temminck, Schlegel, 1844

OPLEGNATHIDAE FAMILY
Also called spotted knifejaw, hoofjaws

Ishigakidai are distributed from central Honshu southward to the South China Sea and Hawaii. Typically they inhabit rocky and coral reefs. Juveniles are found associate with drifting seaweed.

The body of the ishigakidai is somewhat elliptical in outline and moderately compressed. The teeth are fused forming a parrot-like beak in adults. The young knifejaws have more normal, separate incisiform teeth. The dark-spotted color pattern typical of ishigakidai fades in large adult males and the snout becomes white.

In Japan, the knifejaws are highly esteemed as gamefish and are excellent foodfish. It has recently been propagated artificially and the flesh is considered quite good. (see parrotfish, spotted

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